The Kansas City Chiefs will take the field against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day with an opportunity to lock up the AFC West on the line.Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.
1. Here’s a look at the final injury report for both teams.
The Chiefs will be without wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip), tailback Jerick McKinnon (groin) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (neck) on Monday due to injury. The absence of Smith likely sets up a third-straight start at left tackle for rookie Wanya Morris. Veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who has missed the last four weeks due to a thumb injury, returned to practice this past week but will remain on Injured Reserve for the time being and will not play on Monday. The Chiefs still have two weeks to activate Hardman if they so choose.
In some good news, tailback Isiah Pacheco, who missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury, returned to practice this week and appears to be good to go.
As for the Raiders, they’ll be without rookie tight end Michael Mayer due to a toe injury. Mayer ranks third on Las Vegas in terms of receiving yards (304) and caught a touchdown last week vs. Los Angeles. The Raiders also listed six players as “Questionable” for the game, including tailback Josh Jacobs (quad/sick), left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) and cornerback Jack Jones (knee). Jacobs (one game) ailler (two games) are each trying to return to action after missing time due to their injuries. Jones, meanwhile, was a full participant in practice this week and wasn’t on the injury report until being listed as “limited” on Saturday
